I went through this exact same situation 3 months ago! Switched from debit card to direct deposit for my bonding leave and it took 7 business days for the first payment to hit my account. I was freaking out just like you are now. The key thing I learned is that "business days" doesn't include weekends, so if you made the switch on a Friday, that whole weekend doesn't count toward the timeline. Also, I found that calling EDD around 8:02 AM right when they open gives you the best chance of getting through quickly. Hang in there - it's so stressful with a new baby but the money will come!

I'm currently dealing with this exact same situation! Just switched from debit card to direct deposit for my PFL bonding benefits 5 days ago and still waiting. Reading through all these experiences is both reassuring and nerve-wracking - sounds like anywhere from 2 days to 2 weeks is possible! 😅 At least now I know 6-7 business days seems to be the most common timeline for the first direct deposit. Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences - it really helps to know we're not alone in this stressful waiting game with EDD!

I'm going through something similar right now! I got PFL checks while my employer was supposed to cover the difference, and I'm so confused about what to do. Reading through all these responses is really helpful - sounds like the key is definitely getting through to an actual EDD person to document everything properly, not just mailing the checks back. @Micah Franklin - you're definitely not alone in this confusion! The whole system of employer benefits + state benefits is so poorly explained. I hope you get through to someone soon. Let us know what happens! Has anyone tried calling EDD super early in the morning like 7:55am right before they open? I've heard that sometimes works better than calling right at 8am when everyone else is calling too.

I'm dealing with something very similar! Got SDI checks while on employer-paid leave and panicking about the same things. After reading all these responses, I'm definitely going to try the early morning calling strategy AND use certified mail as backup. One thing I learned from my HR department - they said to make sure I document EVERYTHING because sometimes these situations can take months to fully resolve. I'm keeping a spreadsheet with dates, times of calls, reference numbers, etc. Also wanted to mention - if you have a union representative at work, they might be able to help navigate this too. Mine was actually the one who told me about the potential tax form issues @PrinceJoe mentioned. Hang in there! You're being super responsible by handling this proactively instead of just cashing the checks and hoping for the best like some people do.

Hey there! Dad of twins here who went through this exact process in late 2024. Yes, fathers absolutely qualify for California PFL for baby bonding - it's one of the best kept secrets that more dads need to know about! A few practical tips from my experience: - You can actually start the PFL application process online before the baby arrives by creating your EDD account and reviewing the DE2508 form requirements - The 8 weeks don't have to be consecutive - I took 4 weeks immediately after birth, then saved the remaining 4 weeks for when my wife went back to work at 3 months - EDD's phone system is brutal, but their online portal actually works pretty well once you get familiar with it - Make sure your employer knows this is STATE law, not company policy - they can't negotiate away your rights One thing I wish someone had told me: California PFL is funded through employee payroll deductions (SDI), so you've literally been paying for this benefit with every paycheck. Don't feel guilty about using something you've already paid into! The bonding time was incredible and honestly made me a better dad. Your boss's attitude will change once they see you come back refreshed and ready to work. Stand your ground - this is about your family!

Just wanted to jump in as another dad who successfully navigated this process! My son was born in October 2024 and I took the full 8 weeks of PFL for bonding. A few things that really helped me: 1. **Documentation is key** - I kept a folder with all my paperwork (birth certificate copies, EDD correspondence, HR forms) and it saved me when there was a small hiccup with my claim. 2. **The "waiting week"** - Something I don't think anyone mentioned yet is that there's typically a one-week waiting period before benefits start, so factor that into your financial planning along with the processing delays others mentioned. 3. **Your employer's attitude will likely improve** - My boss was also making passive-aggressive comments before my leave, but once I actually took the time and came back refreshed and focused, the whole dynamic changed. They realized the world didn't end because I was gone for 8 weeks. 4. **Use your state representative if needed** - If EDD gives you major runaround, don't hesitate to contact your state assembly member's office. They have constituent services that can help cut through bureaucratic delays. The bonding time was absolutely life-changing. Those early weeks are so precious and you can never get them back. Don't let anyone make you feel bad for taking what's legally yours. You've earned this benefit through your payroll contributions, and your baby deserves to have their dad present during those crucial early weeks. Congrats on the upcoming arrival! March babies are the best 😊

This thread is absolutely incredible! As someone who's currently on week 3 of PFL and was stressing about whether to take my remaining 5 weeks consecutively or risk "losing" them, reading everyone's detailed experiences has been such a relief. The intermittent approach sounds perfect for what I need - a gradual transition back to work while still maximizing precious bonding time with my little one. I'm blown away by the level of practical detail everyone has shared, from @Danielle Mays' breakdown of how benefits are calculated to @Sayid Hassan's honest warning about potential system issues. The recurring themes seem clear: be incredibly specific with dates, document everything meticulously, and don't hesitate to be proactive with EDD communication. Based on all the advice here, I'm planning to call EDD this week to discuss my intermittent plan and get those crucial notes added to my file. I'm thinking of taking every Friday off for the next 5 weeks, which would give me those wonderful long weekends for bonding while still maintaining momentum at work. The tip about taking screenshots of account balances is genius - definitely doing that! And I love the spreadsheet idea for tracking all communications. It's clear that success with intermittent PFL really comes down to being organized and proactive. Thank you to everyone for sharing such honest, detailed experiences. This community is providing the real-world guidance that's impossible to find anywhere else! Can't wait to see @Cole Roush's update on how the certification process goes. 🙏💙

This thread has been absolutely invaluable! I'm currently 8 months pregnant and have been researching PFL options extensively, but finding real experiences like these has been incredibly difficult until now. The level of detail everyone has shared about intermittent PFL is exactly what I needed to hear. I'm particularly struck by the consistent advice about being extremely specific with certification dates and the importance of proactive communication with EDD. The warning about potential system glitches from @Sayid Hassan is eye-opening, but it's reassuring to see that these issues can be resolved with persistence and the right approach. Based on everything I've read here, I'm already planning to use intermittent PFL for my last few weeks of benefits. The idea of taking 1-2 days per week to gradually transition back to work while maintaining bonding time sounds perfect for my situation. I'm definitely going to implement the strategies mentioned here: keeping detailed records, taking screenshots of my account, and getting proactive notes added to my EDD file. One thing I'm curious about - for those who've done intermittent PFL successfully, did you find that having a support network at work (understanding colleagues, supportive manager) made a significant difference in how smoothly the process went? I'm thinking about how to best prepare my team for my eventual intermittent schedule. Thank you to everyone for being so generous with sharing your knowledge and experiences. This thread should honestly be a required reading resource for all California parents planning PFL! Really hoping @Cole Roush and @Luca Esposito keep us updated on their certification experiences. 🙏💙

Anyone else notice that EDD seems to call more often on Tuesdays and Thursdays? Or am I just imagining things?

Don't panic! I've been in the same boat. When EDD calls and you miss it, they usually don't leave a voicemail which is super frustrating. Here's what worked for me: immediately check your UI Online account for any updates or messages, then try calling back using the 1-800-300-5616 number. If you can't get through today, try again first thing tomorrow morning. Also, keep your phone on you at all times for the next few days - they might try calling again. The good news is that missing one call won't hurt your claim, but definitely stay on top of it. You got this! 💪